WELCOME ICEBREAKER

In our lesson today we read how the disciples had gotten away to the Sea of Galilee? Where do you go to get away from it all?

WORSHIP

Read Psalm 103:1-5.

WORD

The word love is one of the most commonly used words in the English language. When it is used it can mean any number of things. Everybody from a celebrity to a grocery store advertisement will tell their audience they love them when really they are saying I want your money or I want your adoration. Often love is used in conjunction with our lust or carnal desire.

Four words in the Greek describe love:

1. eros - physical love
2. storge - family love as between parents and children
3. phileo - brotherly love
4. agape - making a choice to love not based on our senses. Also known as the divine God kind of love. This is the love we are commanded to have. This love says "What can I do for you, not what can you do for me".

In order to walk in love we first must know God is love. Read 1 John 4:7-19 and ask your group members what stands out to them as they read this passage.

1. We need to respond to God’s love. Read and discuss John 21:15-17.
2. Why was Jesus so persistent on this question to Peter?
3. If you had been Peter how would you have felt by the end of the third question?
   1. Angry
   2. Hurt
   3. Guilty
   4. Humiliated
   5. Healed
   6. Frustrated
   7. Embarrassed
4. Why is it so important that this question (“Do you love Me?”) is settled first? How does it affect us living for Christ?
5. What is the closest you have come to going back on your promise to follow Jesus?
6. What would be the evidence in our lives that we truly love Jesus?

For more verses on putting God’s love first see 1 John 2:15, 1 John 5:2, 2 John 1:6.

WORK

Take turns praying for the needs in the group.